Partners Gavin Raftery and Shinichiro Kitamura led the Baker McKenzie team. Senior associate Emiko Horikawa provided support. Raftery chairs the firm’s banking and finance group in the Asia-Pacific region, while Kitamura is the joint head of the firm’s banking and finance practice in Tokyo.

“We are honoured by the opportunity to support SMBC and Asahi on this landmark transaction in a fast-evolving market,” Kitamura said. “In the long run, we are committed to helping Japanese companies grow and become more competitive globally.”

Raftery said that the complex, multi-jurisdictional deal shows the strength and commerciality of the firm’s acquisition finance practice.